Apple's next version of it's OS X operating system, Leopard, has 300 features, many of which I couldn't be bothered with. The most interesting is that Mail will have a built in RSS reader. I'd use that if I didn't already shell out $25 for NewsFire. Stationary? Nah, I try to send plain text emails. Forward as attachment? I was wondering when this would show up, Thunderbird and Evolution both already do it. To-do's? Aren't those already there, just in iCal? What other useless features are there:
- Wikipedia Content Filter
- Word of the Day Screen Saver
- Spaces (this was one thing I assumed would be there coming over from Linux, I was surprised it wasn't)
- Boot Camp (I'd like to run a Linux inside of OS X, though)
- Movies Widget In Dashboard
- Apple Dictionary
- Improved Tethered Camera Support (you're either a pro and using something more serious than this or a casual shooter and don't shoot tethered)
- New AirPort Menu
It seems the overwhelming majority of this list is fluff. I could get it for $107 (corporate discount) but I'd be hard-pressed to justify buying it at even half of that price. Time Machine looks interesting, but I manage my own backups just find, thanks.
Now if only I could get the photo books I want. Apple just isn't offering anything I want, let alone need.
So there's new print products from Apple, including photo books that look really nice. The new iPhoto 2008 users can order these as iPhoto 2008 has been updated for these new products. However, the update for Aperture, 1.5.4, only makes Aperture work with all the new iLife crap. It doesn't update the print products available to Aperture users. So I sent Apple's print products support group a message, playing a little dumb:
There are new books described on the Apple site that look really nice. I never liked the way the old ones looked, which is why I've never bothered to order a photo book via Aperture. When will I be able to order the new books through Aperture?
The response I got:
Thank you for contacting Apple Photo Services Customer Support. My name is Mike and I'll be helping you today.
I understand you've been reluctant to order books from Apple Photo Services in the past. I see you've discovered some of the new options available for iPhoto 7 customers and you'd like to know when these designs will be made available to Aperture customers.
Thank you for your inquiry. I'm sorry, but I can't comment on rumors about decisions, products, programs, or promotions that Apple has not officially announced.
By withholding comment, Apple hopes to protect customers from making decisions based on information that is incomplete, inaccurate, or subject to change before the formal announcement. Apple believes this is the best way to ensure that all customers are treated fairly.
Boo. It would suck if paying Aperture users (the prosumers and professionals who pay more, assuming no student discount) didn't get the new stuff that the standard Mac users did. Yes, the upgrade to iLife isn't free. However, in the next moth or so, all new computers will be coming with OS X Leopard and the latest iLife. At that point, if a user buys Aperture, they will have paid for the privilege of having ugly photo books available.
Here's to hoping that Apple puts whatever code is necessary into Aperture to let Aperture users order the nicer books.
